Implicit Bias: Moving from Awareness to Action

Course Description

Understanding how implicit bias works is one of the cornerstones of diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Implicit bias influences our decisions, actions and judgments, and can have negative impacts on marginalized and minoritized groups of people. Learn how our thought processes prioritize certain aspects of our interactions, communication patterns and evaluations, and come away with a variety of strategies that you can use to mitigate implicit bias. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Session One, you will be able to:

  • Explain what implicit bias is, and how it works to influence our decisions, actions and evaluations
  • Describe how patterns we take in from our environment can cause our brains to take shortcuts
  • List five common implicit biases, and three ways to mitigate bias
  • Explain how implicit bias has a negative impact on marginalized groups

By the end of Session Two, you will be able to:

  • Describe how people tend to shift evaluating criteria because of implicit bias
  • Identify appropriate strategies for managing implicit bias when evaluating
  • Describe System 1 and System 2 thinking
  • List effective and inclusive communication strategies while mitigating implicit bias

Who should attend

This workshop is intended for staff and faculty who are interested in learning about implicit bias.

Cost

There is no cost for this course

Upcoming Sessions

  • In Person: April 8th and 10th, 2025, from 9:30am – 12pm each day, East Campus
  • In-Person: September 10th and 12th, 2025, from 9:30am – 11:30am each day, East Campus
  • In-Person: October 14th and 16th, 2025, from 9:30am – 11:30am each day, East Campus
  • Virtual: November 3rd and 5th, 2025, from 1pm – 3pm each day, via Zoom
  • Virtual: January 13th and 15th, 2026, from 9am – 11am each day, via Zoom
  • Virtual: February 2nd and 4th, 2026, from 10am – 12pm each day, via Zoom
  • Virtual: March 16th and 20th, 2026, from 10am – 12pm each day, via Zoom
  • In-Person: April 7th and 9th, 2026, from 9:30am – 11:30am each day, East Campus

Contact Perri Longley with questions.